Welcome to Australia, Joyce!

Posted by Joyce Tischler, ALDF's Founder and General Counsel on August 3, 2010

Join ALDF Founder & General Counsel Joyce Tischler as she tours
Australia with Voiceless, the animal protection institute, for the 2010 Animal Law Lecture Series.

Yesterday was a busy day, with some media interviews and introductions to the staff of Voiceless, the animal protection institute. Last evening, Voiceless held a lovely cocktail reception. Gene Sherman and Ondine Sherman of Voiceless spoke first, and then, I delivered a short talk. One of the interesting things is that while our respective laws are different, the major problems faced by animals in the U.S. and Australia are quite similar. In Australia, sows (female pigs used to produce piglets who are raised to be eaten) are kept in the most egregious form of intensive confinement, just as they are in the U.S. Pigs are highly intelligent and active animals, who naturally graze and turn things over with their snouts. Sow stalls (called “crates” in the U.S.) are metal containers where each sow is housed individually. She has no room to move or even turn around. This is how the sow is forced to live for life! An analogy for humans would be being forced to spend one’s entire life in an airline seat with nothing to do and no way to get out. As you can imagine, the sows become frustrated and depressed; they also develop joint damage and other health problems from the intensive confinement.

There are signs of change in Australia, as there are in the U.S., due to pressure coming from consumers who demand that the sows be raised in a more humane manner. But, the pork producers in each of our countries are fighting back, so it remains to be seen how much progress will be made on behalf of the sows.

This evening, I will deliver my first keynote address at the University of Sydney, Sydney Law School. I’ll let you know how it goes!

One thought on “Welcome to Australia, Joyce!”

As development director for ALDF, I am so proud of the work that Joyce has done here in the US. I know that she will bring such remarkable insight and guidance to the movement in Australia as a welcomed guest of honor. She brings the advantage of knowledge, experience and breakthroughs accomplished through her devotion and commitment to a 30 year Animal Law career! Rock on down under, Joyce!
Janna Cosby jcosby@aldf.org